About Me

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Just a simple gal living on the outskirts of Portland making ends meet. I have lived in Portland for over 20 years and I am happy to call it home. On this blog you will find everything from cooking to my crazy life. I hope you enjoy.

Sunday, November 6, 2016

Chili Colorado

I have made this recipe a handful of times over the last few years. I have used both beef and pork to make it. Pork is definitely the way forward, but beef is a solid second. This recipe is courtsey of Rick Martinez


This is how it's done:


Take 5 dried anchos2 dried pasillas, and 2 dried guajillos, and remove the stems and seeds. Look for chiles that are soft and pliable, like a raisin. If they are brittle, they are old and will be flavorless—don't use them!
Cover chilies with 3 cups of boiling chicken stock and let them steam, covered with plastic wrap, for about 30 minutes until they are plump and tender. Put the chilies and all of the soaking liquid into a blender and purée until very smooth.
Cut 2 pounds of boneless pork shoulder (or what you have on hand) into ½” pieces, season with salt and pepper, and brown the meat in a large, heavy pot over medium-high heat with a little bit of vegetable oil to keep it from sticking. Chop up 6 to 8 cloves of garlic and throw it in the pot along with two bay leaves, a tablespoon of ground cumin, and a couple of teaspoons of chopped fresh sage and chopped fresh oregano (in a pinch you can use dried herbs) (Mexican oregano if you have it). Stir that around for about a minute, or until very fragrant. Add in 5 cups of chicken stock and simmer uncovered for about an hour. Then, stir in the chile purée and simmer for another 45 minutes until the meat is very tender and the sauce is a thick, mahogany-red color. Season with additional salt and pepper.



I still don't have my photo where I need them to be, but I promise I will get this all together soon or later. 

We just got back from a lovely vacation to the Oregon Coast and a great visit with very good friends. Were looking forward to going again soon sometime after the holidays. 

Halloween marks the beginning of the holiday season, so there will be a flurry of activity for me and mine. I will try and post, but I can't promise anything. 

Wednesday, August 31, 2016

A Funny Thing Happened On My Way To Work

It is funny how things work out. Last Feb 2nd while on my way to work I received a text message from my daughter (we worked together) telling me that we both no longer had jobs. After 3+ years that was it, unceremoniously let go. The worst part... I think the entire office who kept their jobs knew ahead of time and said nothing. One of those people I thought was a friend...I have learned something from that whole experience...I do not attempt to make lasting friendships at my new job,  I go to work, make nice with the people there, and they are all really nice, but I don't get too close and go home at the end of the day. I don't understand the phrase or term "work family" I have a family that I go home to every night...that is my family. Work related friendships are best-left at work. Ms. Em thanks for the advice here. 

I have been busy with my new puppy (December 2015) she is a little firecracker and keeps her big brother on his toes all the time. The bf has been busy remodeling the garage and getting more space of out the room we had. When my daughter moved out we made over that bedroom into an office and it is amazing...I honestly think we spend more time in there than any other room in the house. We got a new fridge, and a new couch. After a year we don't miss cable. Less baking more making freezer meals that I can thaw, heat and serve...working full time takes it out of me...including weight...I trimmed down an additional 5 lbs since February 2nd, it was 8 lbs but I gained back 3 lbs.

Right now rolling into fall of 16 things are good, were good, I am looking forward to fall and settling in for the winter. I , as always, hope for a ton of snow to fall on my fair city and give me a couple of snow days off. Dreaming of a white Christmas.

I have a couple of amazing recipes I want to share with you all and I will I promise just let me catch my breath. 






Friday, January 1, 2016

Leftovers

Some people don't understand or appreciate leftovers. Around this house we try really hard not to waste food, so there is a lot of leftovers at times (especially after the holidays). Fortunately the bf doesn't mind taking leftovers to work and I can always take a care package to the daughter at my work...she can always use a healthy lunch.
So last week I had cooked a delicious pork roast. It wasn't a huge pork roast, but even after Jamie and I had eaten our fill there was a good amount left...what to do. Sure you could slice it up and make sandwiches but that is such a chore. What usually happens is you wrap that lump of leftover roast in foil and stick it in the fridge and forget about it. What I do is make a easy sandwich spread.
I take that lump of roast and cut it into smaller lumps then run it through my food processor until it reaches the coarseness I want, then I add mayo, mustard, horseradish, pickles...the possibilities are endless.
Combine all until you have the consistency that you want for sandwich spread put it in a clean bowl and cover and refrigerate for a few hours until the flavors meld. Presto Chango! you have some customized sandwich spread.
This works for all manor of roasts beef, pork or ham (remember deviled ham?) depending on what you want for flavor you can add all kinds of onions, or peppers or? Go Crazy.
I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday season...for me it starts somewhere a few days before Halloween and extends through today (Jan 1st 2016). I hope this year is a good one for everyone I know near and far.